The City of Des Moines offers a comprehensive benefits package, which can be reviewed at https://www.dsm.city/departments/human_resources/employee_benefits/index.php
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
The Traffic & Transporation division of the Engineering Department is searching for a driven professional to join the team as a Traffic Engineer. This position develops traffic control recommendations and engineering designs, conducts engineering design reviews, performs project management activities, and provides technical assistance to other departments. The principal duties of this position are performed in a general office environment with some field visits to project sites.
Ideal candidates will have experience creatively solving traffic related engineering issues and a desire to provide safe, multi-modal transportation options within a thriving community.
City Initiatives and Projects:
Vision Zero - In July 2023, the City of Des Moines adopted its first Vision Zero Safety Action Plan. This position will work with private development and City design engineers to help eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Des Moines.
ITS Master Plan – Implementation of the plan is underway and includes updating controllers to 2070s, new traffic signal system management software and fiber interconnection over the next several years.
MoveDSM – The City’s first transportation master plan focuses on providing a transportation system that has safe options for all modes of travel. Providing multi-modal transportation options is a key element in everything we do from accommodations during construction of both public and private projects to reconstructing roadways.
Roundabouts – The City recently completed two roundabouts as part of a joint project with Polk County, other one is under design, and several others are in the planning stages. These will be the first roundabouts in the City of Des Moines as the City continues to work toward creating a safer transportation system for all users.
Southeast Connector –This project will fulfill significant and far-reaching goals for the City of Des Moines and the greater metropolitan area. Development of the SE Connector provides both local and overall benefits to the City's greater transportation system including significant improvements to safety by providing a controlled-access, urbanized roadway with a multi-use trail; diverting traffic from existing streets with a history of crashes; eliminating the need for motorists and trucks to traverse three active railroad crossings; and reducing response times for emergency services.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) projects – The City was recently awarded a SS4A grant by the US DOT to fund school zone speed-feedback signs, retroreflective traffic signal backplates, and 3.3 miles of corridor improvements including pedestrian crossing improvements, on-street bicycle facilities, road diets, and other safety measures. These projects will continue to advance the City’s ongoing Vision Zero DSM efforts.
The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including: - Residency Incentive - Alternative Work Schedule Options - Paid Volunteer Time-Off - Parental Leave - Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals - 12 Paid Holidays - Health/Dental/Life/LTD Insurance - Wellness Programs and Activities - Tuition Reimbursement and Continuing Education Programs - Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit - Defined Benefit Pension Plan through IPERS - Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5% - Voluntary Insurance Benefit Options - Employee Discount Program
Job Duties
Works on assigned phases of traffic engineering projects, including the design and preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates for traffic engineering projects to control all modes of transportation;
Designs and redesigns intersections;
Calculates costs and determines project feasibility based upon analysis;
Performs all phases of planning and design for traffic related projects such as traffic signs, pavement markings, and traffic signals;
Performs phases of complex projects such as traffic signal system interconnections or major street configuration layouts;
Conducts traffic safety and operations studies and recommends countermeasures to address safety and traffic operations;
Reviews requests from citizens, neighborhoods and schools and works with the requesting parties and others to develop appropriate traffic control measures, including traffic calming measures.
Conducts analyses to determine traffic signal timings for individual intersections and assists in such analyses to determine timings for complex signal systems;
Drafts and recommends traffic ordinances; prepares reports and correspondence;
Inspects and completes necessary documents for the installation of traffic signals and other traffic control devices; reviews street lighting layouts and photometrics to determine whether adequate lighting levels are provided;
Reviews site plans for proposed developments .to determine the traffic impacts of the development and the conformity of the proposed traffic circulation and access with existing City requirements and standards;
Reviews utility and contractor work sites to determine compliance with requirements for traffic control devices;
Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
Communicates and coordinates regularly with internal and external personnel to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.
Bachelor's degree or higher level degree in Civil or Transportation Engineering, or a closely-related engineering field from an accredited college or university;
OR
Conference of Bachelor’s degree or higher level degree in Civil or Transportation Engineering, or a closely-related engineering field from an accredited college or university within 12 months of full-time appointment date; and
Candidates for positions in this class must submit a transcript, either official or unofficial, from the college or university in attendance at or degree awarded;
Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer background check, physical examination and drug screen;
Possession of a valid Iowa driver’s license;
Conference of an Engineer in Training or Engineering Intern certificate within 12 months of full-time appointment date.
The City of Des Moines is the capital city of the State of Iowa. The City of Des Moines is dedicated to increasing and embracing diversity in our workforce to reflect the population demographics of our community. Every person we serve and work with brings a unique blend of identities, including racial, ethnic, language, religious, ability, and many more. Being inclusive means honoring our diverse cultures, identities and backgrounds as well as our differences and similarities. It is a reminder that individual experiences make us who we are. We are committed to honoring the differences each of our staff, residents, and visitors bring, because we value the strength that comes from our individual and collective uniqueness. When we draw on the wisdom and experience of our community we serve, we are better able to meet the needs of our customers— the community. The City’s goal is to have a reflective workforce, an inclusive work environment, and an equitable organization and community that is committed to delivering effective, relevant, and responsive service while ensuring fairness, dignity and respect to our colleagues, residents, and visitors.